Cut-out block



(No Model.)

I. A. CHAPMAN.

GUT-OUT BLOCK. No. 539,725 Patented May 21, 1895.

W L 55 mfl m I. w h..." 7' r a M a w z u J a m g w n m UNTTED STATES PATENT Orrroa.

FREDERIC A. CHAPMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CUT-OUT BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,72 5, dated May 21, 1895.

Application filed February 5, 1895. Serial No. 537,370. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC A. CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cut-Out Blocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in cut-out blocks.

The object of the invention is to produce a cut-out block provided with simple, eficient, and durable means for effecting a connection between the mainwires and the plug, and tap-wires and the fuse-wires, the connection being such as to permit of currents of high potential being passed through the plug without any danger either of sparking, or any interference between the wires constituting the circuit or circuits.

Furthermore, the object is to produce a plug in which the connections will be effectually shielded from contact with its casing, or with surrounding objects, preventing injury to the connections, and insuring their proper working when the parts are assembled.

Furthermore, the object is to produce a plug constructed in such manner, that the respective wires of the circuit will be insulated from each other, thereby eifectually preventing short circuiting of the current, and other accidents incidental to electrical connections.

Furthermore, the object is to produce a plug which may be readily removed from its casing and transported to different points and quickly replaced in position.

Finally, the object is to produce a plug having its parts so arranged that should the fusewire blow out,it may readily be replaced without the employment of skilled labor.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in. a cut-out having a plug provided on each of its sides with two chambers insulated from each other, one of the chambers having therein a contact-plate and a fuse-wire connected therewith, and the other a terminal to which is attached the other end of the fuse-wire and one of the tap-wires, and a casing inclosing the plug and having contactplates. Furthermore, in the novel construction and combination of parts of a cut-out, as will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, I have shown a convenient form of embodiment of two different ways in which the invention may be carried into eifect, and in these drawings Figure l is a view in elevation, partlyin section, displaying in full lines the plug and its attached mechanism and in section the box or casing in which the plug is housed. Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation of the plug, looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of box contactplate. Fig.4 is a plan view, partly in section, showing the box or casing provided with two sets of main wires supplying currents of different potentials, the plug being omitted, as that form shown in Fig. 1 may be employed in connection with this latter form of box.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the box or casing, which is adapted to be set in the floor, ceiling, or wall, as the requirements of the case may demand. The box, which maybe constructed of anysuitable or desired material, is open at both ends, and is provided at its top with wings or flanges a, through which pass screws for holding the box in position.

To the inner surface of the ends of the box are attached contact-plates a which may be of any desired shape, but preferably that shown in Fig. 1, as presenting the best surfaces for contact with and release from the plug B, although the form shown in Fig. 3 may in some instances be preferred; and at the lower ends of the plates a are bindingposts a for holding the main wires C.

When the box is to be seated in a floor, the flanges are let into the wood until the top of the box is flush with the surrounding surface, and as the bottom of the box is open, it follows that any dirt or water which might enter thereto will immediately escape therefrom and thereby prevent any damage to the cutout when the parts are assembled.

Should it be desired to remove the plug B permanently, or for a time, the box may be closed either by a dummy-plug or by a lid,

lCO

not shown, and in the case of the box being seated in the ceiling or wall, the dummy-plug may be stained, painted, or covered with paper, so as to cause it to resemble the surrounding surface, and thus prevent an unsightly appearance which would necessarily result if the box and plug projected beyond the coiling or wall, as is the case with those in common use.

The plug B, to which reference has been made, is constructed of any suitable material, a non-conductor of electricity, and is provided in each of its sides with two chambers 1), b which are of sufficient depth to allow their contained connections to lie wholly below the surface of the plug. As these chambers are the same on both sides of the plug, and as they perform the same function in both instances, a description of one will serve for both.

The chamber 17 has, at its top, a side recess, b through which projects an arm or offset, (1 carried by the plug contact-plate D, the lower end of which plate projects below the bottom of the plug, and is slightly curved inward as at d to facilitate the insertion and removal of the plug. At a point near the bottom of the chamber, is an orifice b which extends through to the chamber 1) on the opposite side of the plug, it being understood that the chambers are so located on both sides of the plug that, on viewingit without turning it, the chamber b on one side will be in alignment with the chamber on the other side.

This is done to prevent crossing of the fusetially as described.

wires, as will be perfectly obvious.

The chamber 1) has secured thereto a terminal I), to one end of which is suitably connected one end of thetap wire E, the other tap-wire being correspondingly connected to the terminal in the chamber on the other side of the plug.

The terminals and offsets d are connected by fuse-wires F, which pass through the opening b and as shown in Fig. 1, are held in place by screws, b and 12 respectively. This manner of securing the fuse-wires in place, is preferable to the ordinary method of soldering, as by the employment of screws, any person of ordinary ability may replace a fuse wire should it blow out.

Should it be desired to employ the cut-out in connection with a power-plant, in addition to the electric lighting, the form of box shown in Fig. 4 will be employed, wherein two circuits are connected with two sets of contact-plates a, one circuit furnishing, say, one hundred and ten volts, to be used for lighting, and the other two hundred and twenty volts to be used for power. In order to employ the difierent circuits, it will only be necessary to insert the plug within the box in such manner as to bring the contact-plates d into engagement with the contact-plates a connecting with the circuit to be used. It is to be understood that, if desired, the plug may be made circular in form, and still be made to perform its proper function.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cut-out having a plug provided on each of its two sides with two chambers insulated from each other, one of the chambers having therein a contact plate a fuse-wire connected therewith, and the othera terminal to which is attached the other end of the fusewire and one of the tap-wires, and a casing inclosi'ng the plug and having contact-plates, substantially as described.

2. A cut-out having a plug provided on each of its sides with two chambers insulated from each other, in one of which chambers is placed a terminal connected by a fuse-wire with the contact-plate in the chamber on the opposite side of the plug and with the tapwire, and, in the other chamber, a contactplate and a fuse-wire connecting said plate with the terminal in the chamber in the opposite side of the plug, and a casing inclosing the plug and having contact-plates,'substan- 3. A cut-out provided on opposite sides with chambers insulated from each other, contactplates secured to the sides of the plug and projecting below the bottom thereof, the upper ends of the said plates being provided each with an oifset projecting into one of the chambers on each side of the plug,a terminal located in one of the chambers on each side of the plug, fuse-wires connecting the ofiset of the contact plate on one side of the plug with the terminal on the opposite side thereof, and tap-wires connecting with the terminals, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERIC A. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

M. J. OROURKE, RICHARD S. SToYLE. 

